The '''need for cognition,''' in [[psychology]], is a personality variable reflecting the extent to which people engage in and enjoy [[Effortfulness|effortful]] cognitive activities.

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People high in the need for cognition are more likely to form their attitudes by paying close attention to relevant arguments (i.e., via the [[Elaboration likelihood model|central route to persuasion]]), whereas people low in the need for cognition are more likely to rely on [[Elaboration likelihood model|peripheral cues]], such as how attractive or credible a speaker is. Psychological research on the need for cognition has been conducted using self-report tests, where research participants answered a series of statements such as "I enjoy solving puzzles" and were scored on how much they felt the statements represented them. The results have suggested that people who are high in the need for cognition score slightly higher in verbal intelligence tests but no higher in abstract reasoning tests. There were no found gender differences in the need for cognition.

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Research has concluded that individuals high in NFC are less likely to attribute higher social desirability to more attractive individuals or to males.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3852/is_200101/ai_n8949421/print Moderating effects of need for cognition on attractiveness stereotyping]</ref> Individuals high in NFC report higher life satisfaction.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCR/is_2_38/ai_n6130140/print The need for cognition and life satisfaction among college students]</ref>

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The '''need for cognition,''' in [[psychology]], is a [[personality trait]] reflecting the extent to which people engage in and enjoy [[Effortfulness|effortful]] cognitive activities.

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People high in the need for cognition are more likely to form their [[attitudes]] by paying close attention to relevant arguments (i.e., via the [[Elaboration likelihood model|central route to persuasion]]), whereas people low in the need for cognition are more likely to rely on [[Elaboration likelihood model|peripheral cues]], such as how attractive or credible a speaker is. Psychological research on the need for cognition has been conducted using self-report tests, where research participants answered a series of statements such as "I enjoy solving puzzles" and were scored on how much they felt the statements represented them. The results have suggested that people who are high in the need for cognition score slightly higher in verbal intelligence tests but no higher in abstract reasoning tests. There were no found gender differences in the need for cognition.

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Research has concluded that individuals high in NFC are less likely to attribute higher [[social desirability]] to more attractive individuals or to males.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3852/is_200101/ai_n8949421/print Moderating effects of need for cognition on attractiveness stereotyping]</ref> Individuals high in NFC report higher life satisfaction.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCR/is_2_38/ai_n6130140/print The need for cognition and life satisfaction among college students]</ref>

The need for cognition is unrelated to [[social dominance orientation]].<ref>[http://www.allacademic.com/one/www/www/index.php?cmd=www_search&offset=0&limit=5&multi_search_search_mode=publication&multi_search_publication_fulltext_mod=fulltext&textfield_submit=true&search_module=multi_search&search=Search&search_field=title_idx&fulltext_search=When+or+the+or+Need+or+for+or+Cognition+or+Becomes+or+a+or+Status+or+Symbol%3A+or+How+or+Minority-Majority+or+Contexts+or+Redefine+or+the+or+Relationship+or+between+or+Psychological+or+Constructs+or+and+or+Likelihood+or+of+or+Voting Need for Cognition, Need to Evaluate, and Change in Vote Choice]</ref>

The need for cognition is unrelated to [[social dominance orientation]].<ref>[http://www.allacademic.com/one/www/www/index.php?cmd=www_search&offset=0&limit=5&multi_search_search_mode=publication&multi_search_publication_fulltext_mod=fulltext&textfield_submit=true&search_module=multi_search&search=Search&search_field=title_idx&fulltext_search=When+or+the+or+Need+or+for+or+Cognition+or+Becomes+or+a+or+Status+or+Symbol%3A+or+How+or+Minority-Majority+or+Contexts+or+Redefine+or+the+or+Relationship+or+between+or+Psychological+or+Constructs+or+and+or+Likelihood+or+of+or+Voting Need for Cognition, Need to Evaluate, and Change in Vote Choice]</ref>

People high in the need for cognition are more likely to form their attitudes by paying close attention to relevant arguments (i.e., via the central route to persuasion), whereas people low in the need for cognition are more likely to rely on peripheral cues, such as how attractive or credible a speaker is. Psychological research on the need for cognition has been conducted using self-report tests, where research participants answered a series of statements such as "I enjoy solving puzzles" and were scored on how much they felt the statements represented them. The results have suggested that people who are high in the need for cognition score slightly higher in verbal intelligence tests but no higher in abstract reasoning tests. There were no found gender differences in the need for cognition.

Research has concluded that individuals high in NFC are less likely to attribute higher social desirability to more attractive individuals or to males.[1] Individuals high in NFC report higher life satisfaction.[2]